Flush mount retainer assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10837481-B2
Application number	US-201815902458-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 22, 2018
Priority date	Feb 22, 2018
Publication date	Nov 17, 2020
Grant date	Nov 17, 2020

Abstract

A flush mount retainer assembly adapted to be received within a panel opening is provided. The flush mount retainer assembly includes a base defining a threaded bore for receiving a fastener and a front and back support members that each resiliently flex outwardly in response to the fastener engaging the threaded bore. Front and back retention members extend from the front and back support members, respectively, to limit movement of the flush mount retainer assembly relative to the panel prior to the bore being engaged by the fastener. The flush mount retainer assembly further includes first and second-side retention members disposed between vertical portions of the front and back support member and being adapted to stabilized the flush mount retainer assembly within panel openings having certain depths.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A flush mount retainer assembly comprising:
a base;
a cylinder extending from the base and defining a threaded bore;
a support member extending from the base and including a horizontal portion overlying the threaded bore, the support member further including a front retention member disposed at a front side thereof and a back retention member disposed at a back side thereof, the front retention member and the back retention member being spaced apart from the base by a first distance; and
a first-side retention member and a second-side retention member disposed at opposing lateral sides of the flush mount retainer assembly, the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member being adapted to stabilize the flush mount retainer assembly within panel openings having a depth less than the first distance;
wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member extend to a first terminal end and a second terminal end, respectively, that slope outwardly relative to the cylinder.

2. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member include an angled portion that slopes outwardly toward the base.

3. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are joined to the horizontal portion of the support member.

4. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are joined to a vertical portion of the support member.

5. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are joined to the base and extend vertically therefrom.

6. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are resiliently flexible to a lesser extent than the front retention member and the back retention member.

7. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are disposed at opposing lateral sides of the cylinder.

8. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 1 wherein the opposing lateral sides of the flush mount retainer assembly are generally perpendicular to the front side of the flush mount retainer assembly and the back side of the flush mount retainer assembly.

9. A flush mount retainer assembly adapted to be received within a panel opening, the flush mount retainer assembly comprising:
a base defining a bore for receiving a fastener;
a front support member and a back support member, the front support member and the back support member each including a vertical portion connected to the base and a horizontal portion extending from the vertical portion and at least partially overlying the bore, wherein the front and back support members are resiliently flexible outwardly in response to the bore being engaged by the fastener;
a front retention member extending from the front support member and a back retention member extending from the back support member to limit movement of the flush mount retainer assembly relative to the panel prior to the bore being engaged by the fastener;
a first-side retention member disposed between the vertical portion of the front support member and the vertical portion of the back support member to establish an interference fit with a first edge of the panel opening; and
a second-side retention member disposed between the vertical portion of the front support member and the vertical portion of the back support member to establish an interference fit with a second edge of the panel opening opposite the first edge of the panel opening.

10. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each extend from an outward edge of the horizontal portion of the front support member.

11. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each extend from an outward edge of the vertical portion of the front support member.

12. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each extend from an outward edge of the horizontal portion of the back support member.

13. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each extend from an outward edge of the vertical portion of the back support member.

14. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each extend from the base of the flush mount retainer assembly.

15. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member each establish an interference fit with the panel at a point more proximal to the base than a point at which the front and back retention members terminate.

16. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 9 wherein a front support member includes a pair of front support legs in spaced relationship with one another and the back support member includes a pair of back support legs in spaced relationship with one another.

17. A flush mount retainer assembly comprising:
a base;
a cylinder connected to the base and defining a threaded bore extending therethrough;
a front support member connected to the base and including a horizontal portion, a vertical portion, and a front retention member;
a back support member connected to the base and including a horizontal portion, a vertical portion, and a back retention member; and
a first-side retention member and a second-side retention member disposed at opposing lateral sides of the flush mount retainer assembly,
wherein the front retention member, the back retention member, the first-side retention member, and the second-side retention member include a ramped surface that angles outwardly relative to the base at each of four sides of the flush mount retainer assembly, and wherein the ramped surface of the first-side and second-side retention members are more proximal to the base than are the ramped surfaces of the front and back retention members, such that retainer assembly can be securely received within panel openings having varying depths;
wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member extend to a first terminal end and a second terminal end, respectively, that slope outwardly relative to the cylinder.

18. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 17 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are connected to the front support member.

19. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 17 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are connected to the back support member.

20. The flush mount retainer assembly of claim 17 wherein the first-side retention member and the second-side retention member are connected to the base and extend vertically therefrom.

Assignees

• A Raymond Et Cie

Inventors

• Deperro Charles A

Classifications

• F16B5/065

  the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance · CPC title

• F16B37/041 Primary

  Releasable devices (F16B37/044, F16B37/045 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16B13/10

  with separate gripping parts moved into their final position in relation to the body of the device by a separate operation (F16B13/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16B37/02

  made of thin sheet material (fastening to surfaces F16B37/04 {; used as lock-nuts F16B39/14}) · CPC title

• F16B37/043

  with snap action · CPC title